Chinese Drywall: It's Not Over Yet

It has been more than four years since defective Chinese-made drywall came to the attention of the homebuilding industry (see "In Florida, a Plague of Bad Drywall," Coastal Connection, March 2009). Time and the legal process have brought relief for some homeowners—but not for all. "Many homeowners received financial relief that allowed them to gut their homes and rebuild," the Advocate (Baton Rouge) reports this week ("Chinese dry wall still in litigation," by Michelle Millhollon). "Others, like Bailey, are awaiting the conclusion of a court battle with a Chinese company that contends the U.S. cannot enforce judgments against it."

Even homeowners whose houses have been repaired under one court-approved settlement haven't learned yet whether consumer electronics damaged by sulfur emissions from drywall will be replaced, the Advocate reports. And the state of Louisiana is still trying to get compensation for its losses, the paper says: "The state Attorney General's Office hired a Colorado lawyer to lead legal efforts seeking 'damages for losses associated with state income, sales and property tax issues and otherwise any negative impact on state revenues.' The state is fighting to move the case to state court."